Breech-loading gun.



No. 700,20. Patented mi 20, I902. J. F. 'MEIGS & s. A. s. HAMMAB.

BREECl-l LOADING GUN.

(Applicat ion filed Nov. 7, 1898.)

I0 Sheets Sheet (No Model.)

N0. 700,2. Patented May '20, I902.

' r J. F. MEIGS &. S. A. S. HAMMAR.

BREECH LOADING GUN.

(Application filed Nov. 7, i898. (No Model.) l0 $heets Sheet. 2.

No. 700,2!7. v Patented May 20, I902.

J. F. MEIGS & S.'A. S. HAMMAR.

BREEGl-l LOADING GUN.

(Applicafiion flld Nov. '7," 1898.)

I0 SheetsS heet 3.

(No Model.)

@hw/M:

/@ dfa a/zdy mus PETER: an, Photo-um (No Model.)

Patented May 20, I902.

J. F. MEIGS &' S. A. S. HAMMAR.

BREEGH LOADING GUN.

(Application filed Nov. 7, 189B.) I

' l0 Sheets-Sheet 4.

No. 700,20. Patented-May 20 I902. F. mews & s. A. s. HAMMAR.

BBEECH LOADING GUN.

(Applicat idn filed Nov. 7, 1898.) (No Model.) I!) Sheets$heet 5 Tm:norms Finns cu, PHDTO-L\THO., WASNINOYON, me.

Patented May 20, I902. J. F. MEIGS & s. A. s. HAMMAR.

BREECH LOADING GUN.

(pplication filed Nov. 7, 189B.)

l0 Sheet-Sheet s (No Model.)

Patented May 20, I902. J.,F. MEIGS & S. A. S. HAMMAB. v

B REEGH LOADING sun. Application filed Nov. 7, 189a l0 sheets sheet a,

(No Model.)

No. 700,2l7. i Patented May 20, I902.

J; F. MEIGS & S. A. S. HAMMAR. BREECH LOADING Gun.-

- (Application filed Nov. 7, 1898.) (No Model.) l0 Sheets-Sheet 9.

UNITED, STAT PATE T, OFFICE.

JOHNF. MEIGS AND SIGARD A. sTEN HAMMAR, OF SOUTH BETHLEHEM,PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS, BY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO BETHLEHEM sTEELCOMPANY.

BREECH- LOJADING GUN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,217, dated. May 20,1902. Application filed November '7, 1898. Serial No. 695,744.- (Nomodeli) To all 1072/0177 it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN F. MEIGS and SIGARD A. STEN HAMMAE, of SouthBethle- .l1em, in the county of Northampton, and in the State ofPennsylvania, have jointly iu-g a gun'provided with our invention; Fig.2, a;

plan View of the same; Fig. 3, a view'showing, on an enlarged scale, arear elevation of the gun with the carriage,-recoil-cylinders,

and the connections between one of such cyl-. inders and the rack -rodfor actuating thebreech mechanism removed; Fig. 4, a view f a section online 00a; of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a View,

on an enlarged scale, of a section on line y y.

of Fig. 1; Fig. 6, a view of a section on line 2 z of Fig. 1, the scalebeing largerthan that of Fig. 1 and smaller than that of Fig. 5; Fig.

- 7, a view, on an enlarged scale, of a longitudinal section of theoperating-cylinder; Fig.

8, a view, on an enlarged scale, of a section on line w w of Fig. 1, theparts being shown. in position, as when the piston of theoperating-cylinder is being thrown forward; Fig. 9, a detail plan viewof the valve mechanism on an enlarged scale; Fig. 10, a detail sectionalview of the valve mechanism on line y y of Fig. 9; Fig. 11, a sectionalview, on an enlarged scale, showing a longitudinal section of therecoil-cylinder with the hollow piston. and piston-rod; Fig. 12, a Viewof a sectionon line .2 z of Fig. 11; Fig. 13, a detail perspective viewof the trigger and the outer end plane, showing a cross-section of thebreech-,

plug and the rack-bar in position, as when the plug hasbeen moved'somedistance to the rear of its breech-closing position. Fig. 16 is aview-showing a longitudinal section of an alternative construction ofrecoil-cylinder with a solid piston and a hollow piston-rod.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figuresThe object ofour invention has been to pro- .vide an improvedbreech-loadin g gun in which the breech mechanism will be automaticallyopened and closed by power derived from the pressure of fluid taken fromthe recoil-cylinder. The means for closing the breech will be undercontrol as to the time and speed of its operation, and the firing devicecan be caused to act automatically as the breechclosing plug is movedinto closed position and locked or can be caused to operate at any timedesired after the closing and locking of the breech-plug.

' Our invention consists in the gun and in the parts thereofconstructed, arranged, and combined as hereinafter specified.

A special purpose which we have had particularly in view in devising thegun mech= auism hereinafter described, and shown in the drawings hasbeen to provide a gun so arranged as to its breech mechanism and firingdevices that there will be in combination with means for automaticallyclosing the breech plug or block a hand-operated device on one side ofthe gun to cause release of the breechclosing mechanism and on the otherside of the gun a device adapted to be operated by hand which will atthe will of the operator cause the gun to be fired as the breech plug orblock is closed and locked or after the closing and locking of the plugor block at any desired time.

In devising the mechanism just above referred to it has been ourintention to make the gun capable of being operated by two men,

one of whom is to keep the gun pointed and operate the device forcausing the firing, while the other on the other side of the gun is tocause or control the closing movement of the recoil-cylinder, it is alsoso arranged as to be capable of operation by hand to cause opening ofthe breech for the admission of a load to the chamber of the gun andcause the breech to be closed.

While our improved gun is shown in the drawings, and will bedescribedhereinafter, as arranged to have the breech mechanism operated to openthe breech by power derived from the pressure of fluid forced from arecoil-cylinder of the gun during the return of the latter to batteryafter recoil and while this arrangement is the one which we prefer, wedesire it to be understood that our breechopening devices are adapted tobe actuated as well by pressure of fluid from the recoilcylinder duringrecoil of the gun.

In the drawings, Adesignates the gun-body proper, which is shown asmounted in an ordinary and well-known form of recoilmount, having asleeve or hollow frame B, within which the body A is mounted and guided,so as to be capable of having rectilinear rearward and forward movementtherein without rotation on its axis. Such sleeve or frame is, as usual,provided with trunnions, one of which is shown at B, which are mountedin suitable trunnion-bearings on a frame 0, pivotally supported on acarriage or stand 0 and provided with the usual means for swinging theframe 0 in a horizontal plane. The sleeve or hollow frame B, carryingthe gun-body, is also shown as provided with the usual means for rockingit on its trunnions to adjust the elevation of the gun.

The body or gun proper, A, has secured to it at a point to the rear ofsleeve 13 the usual ring D, to be connected with the devices for takingup the recoil of the gun when the latter is fired. Such devices, asshown, consist of two cylinders E E, which are rigidly secured to thehollow frame or sleeve B,and each one of which contains a reciprocatingpistonhead E, connected with a piston-rod E passing rearward through aplug e, closing the rear end of the cylinder, and a stuffing-box e,which can be of any desired construction, adapted to allow easyreciprocation of the piston-rod through it, while effectually preventingthe leakage of fluid from within the cylinder out around the rod. Nearits rear end each of these piston-rods E E passes through an opening inan car 61 on ring D and has a shoulder 61 bearing against the forwardside of the respective ear. Beyond the rear side of the ear throughwhich it passes each rod E is screw-threaded and has screwed upon it anut 6 engaging the rear face of the ear, and a jam or look nut c to locknut e from turning.

The arrangement of recoil-cylinders, pistons, piston-rods, ring D, andof the connections between the latter and the piston-rods, so fardescribed, is one usual and well known in recoil-mounts for ordnance.

Each cylinder E contains the usual spring E around the respective rod Eand engaging at its opposite ends bearings c a, resting against the rearface of the piston-head E and the forward face of the plug 6, whichcloses the rear end of the cylinder, respectively. This spring, exertingits stress against rearward travel of the respective piston-head E,caused by the recoil of the gun from firing and being compressed by suchrecoil, serves, by forcing the piston-head and connected rod and ring Dforward again after the recoil has ceased, to return the gun to battery.The forward end of each cylinder is closed by a screw-plug e, which hasits inner or rear face made concave, as shown in Fig. 11.

As in the recoil-cylinders for guns as heretofore used, each cylinder Eis filled with a body of fluid, which can be water, oil, or other fluid,but preferably consists of a mixture of glycerin and water, such body offluidbeing, as in the'recoil-cylinders heretofore in use, for thepurpose of acting as a brake to slow down the movement of the gun inrecoil. For this purpose such cylinders or. the pistonheads therein havebeen provided with ports or by-passes through which the fluid in thecylinder can flow past the piston-heads at a certain predetermined rateas such heads are moved back and forth, the rate of travel allowed tothe heads being dependent upon the combined area of the ports orby-passes in the respective cylinders or piston-heads, all as will beunderstood by those familiar with recoil-mounts for ordnance.

In the present case the cylinders E E are, as in the cylinder shown inFig. 11, provided with four longitudinal grooves e 6 forming by-passesextending from the forward ends of the spaces within the cylinders andwhich in the ordinary way should have their rearward ends situated tothe rear of the points towhich the rear faces of the respectivepistonheads are carried by recoil of the gun.

Each of the piston-heads E has in its front face shortradial grooves ee",the same in number as the grooves e e in the surrounding cylinder andsimilarly situated, so that their outer ends coincide with thecylinder-grooves. These grooves e e are of sufficient length to formports or passes connecting the grooves c c with the recess or cavity ein the cylinder-closing plug e when the piston-head E head and rodandconnect the two cylinders by means of an opening back of the mostrearward position of breech-face of piston.

In the case of guns using only. one recoilcylinder the piston head androd of that cylinder are made in the manner just described.

The rearward end of the hollow pistonrod is closed by a screw-cap e andjust forward of the latter there is a side port a through the wall ofthe rod communicating with the interior of a hollow sleeve-coupling esurrounding the piston-rod between cap e and the shoulder e on the rodand having its interior connected with a pipe e preferably, but notnecessarily, made in onepiece with the coupling. The passage or port eiwithin coupling e ,is an annular one, as shown in Fig. 8, so as toalways be in full communication with the port o even if there should beany twisting or rotation of the piston-rod or coupling with reference toeach other.

Supported ona strong arm F, bolted to the body or gun proper, A, is acylinder G, which we term the operating-cylinder and which is preferablyformed in one piece with the head G, carrying the supporting arm F. Theinterior of this cylinder at its rear end is connected with a port g,which in turn communicates with the passage g in head G, communicatingwith pipe 6 At the point where passage g joins port g a valve-seat g isprovided to receive apiston-valve g adapted to close communicationbetween said port and passage, the head of such valve being adapted-whendown or seated in closed positionto entirely close the outer end of port9 against the outward -flow of fluid from the operating-cylinder G. Theupper end of the cylindrical recess 9 provided-in head G forerated tomove the valve -head by any. one

standing on the right side of the gun. Fitted and slidingwithin theoperating-cylinder G is asolid piston H, having connected with it thepiston-rod H, extending out through the rear end of the cylinder andthrough the stuffingbox It on such end. The forward end of piston H fitsand slides through the stuffing-box h and has the packing-compressingdevice in the form of an annular screw plug or cap h screwed into thecylinder end,

but can be of any other desired construction.

With the connected recoil and operating cylinders a sufficient quantityof the water, oil, water and glycerin, or other fluid is used to fillthe recoil-cylinder, the hollow pistonhead E and piston-rodE and theconnecting ports, pipe, and passages connecting the bore of thepiston-rod withthe rear end ofthe op-- crating-cylinder G. v. The rearend of the piston-rod H has screwed upon it aghead M, between which andthe rear end of the cap or plug h of the stuffing-box h is a spiralspring H surrounding the rod H and exerting its pressure on head it toforce the rod, and conseque'ntly the piston H, rearward toward and intothe position which it is shown as occupying in Figs. 6 and 7. This rodH, with its head h we connect with the breech mechanism which is to beoperated in the manner to be described hereinafter.

While for convenience sake we have shown in the drawings and shalldescribe hereinafter our invention as applied to a certain form ofbreech mechanism, we desire it to be understood that we do not limitourselves to the use of our invention in connection with such form ofbreech mechanism, but contemplate employing our operating devices andfiring mechanism in connection with any other desired form of breechmechanism or devices for opening and closing breech-loading guns. Thebreech mechanism which we have shown in the drawings connected with thepiston and head, so as to be operatedby the movement of the rod forwardand rearward under the action of forward pressure on p the piston H incylinder G and the rearward pressure of spring H upon head h is of theform known as the Dashiell, being as to its breech-closing plug and themeans for closing and locking and unlocking and opening the breechsubstantially the same in form as the mechanism for that purpose shownand described in United StatesPatent No. 468,331. Such mechanism neednot, therefore, be described at length herein; but it is sufficient torefer tosaid patentfor a full detailed description of it. Broadly, ithas a breech-plug otal lugs or ears c' 'i, engaginga vertical pin 1supported on the breech of the gun at one side of the rear end thereof.The tray is, as in the gun shown and described in the patenthereinbefore referred to, providedwith the two ribs 1" t" to engagelongitudinal guidinggrooves on the breech-plug when the latter is beingmoved in and out on the tray,-tl1e grooves in the plug being sosituatedas to be brought in linewith the respective ribs on the traywhen the plug has been rotated to disengage its locking partial threadsfrom the corresponding threads withinthe plugreceiving chamber of thebreechv of the gun. With the plug in this position it canfbe movedlongitudinally rearward. and forward to remove itfrom andinsertitintothe breechplug chamber of the gun. i

The periphery of the rear end of the breech- IIO patent hereinbeforereferred to.

plug 1 is provided with a segmental series of gear teeth or cogs I I,which are formed on a ring secured to the rear portion'of the plugand-which when the plug is seated in its chamber in the gun, so as toclose the breech,

are in position to be engaged by the teeth of the sliding toothedrack-bar I guided in a breech of the gun is limited by the end ofguideway 75 instead of by a stop lug or pin,

as inthe gun shown and described in the The pin 1 also passes through ahole in the angle of the elbow-lever 1 having the short arm pivotallyconnected with the tray 1 by the pin I and the long arm provided with astud I engaging an opening 0? in the cocking-ring I, journaled on a plug1 screwed into the rear end of the breech-plug and held on plug 1 by anenlargement or head I on the latter.

The operation of the parts of the breech mechanism and operative devicesas so far described, which will be clearly understood from thedescription contained in the patent referred to, is briefly as follows:With the breech-plug in breech-closing position and turned to cause itsinterrupted threads to engage the corresponding threads within thebreech-plug chamber and with the parts in position as shown in Figs. 1,2, 3, and a, if the lever I be swung rearward and to the right it willfirst swing on pin 1 so that the toothed segment 1 will cause therack-bar l. to travel to the left, and, through the meshing of the teethon its upper side with the cogs or teeth I 1 on the breech-plug, to turnthe latter far enough to disengage'its interrupted threads from those onthe plug-chamber in the breech, the partial turning of the plug thuscaused bringing the longitudinal grooves in the plug into line with theplug-guiding ribs 11 t" on the tray. The rack-bar 1 having moved farenough to the left to cause the above-described partial rotation of thebreech-plug, comes in contact with the end of its guideway and isstopped thereby. Con tin ued movement of the operatinglever I thencauses the latter to swing upon the last or outer tooth of the rack-baras a fulcrum, because of the engagement of its toothed segment 1 withsuch tooth, and the pin 1 passing through the curved tray-slot 1 andconnecting the lever'l with the elbow-lever 1, moves out along the slot1 without swinging the'tray and causes elbow-lever I tovswing rearwardupon its pivotal pin 1 This movement of lever I through its describedroo,217

the tray-holding catch K, pivoted in ears on v the under side of thetray and normally engaging a lug or shoulder on the breech, as fullydescribed in the patent referred to, and, tripping such catch, leavesthe tray free to be swung rearward as the plug reaches the end of itsrearward travel on the tray. When the levers I and I have been swung'far enough to thus withdraw the breech-plug from the breech upon thetray, the pin 1 comes in contact with the end of the slot 1 inthe trayand checking the swing of lever I with reference to the tray, andconsequently preventing further movement of the breech-plug withreference to the tray causes the latter to swing rearward and to theright upon its pivot, so as to carry the plug to one side and leave thebreech open and clear for the withdrawal of a cartridge or the insertionof a new charge. The lever I can be swung over to the right to cause andcomplete the swinging of the tray after the withdrawal of thebreech-plug from the breech, or when it has been moved quickly farenough to withdraw the breech-plug from the breech upon the tray themomentum of the plug will, through the connection of the plug withelbow-lever I and because of the engagement of pin 1 with the end of thetrayslot 1 be enough to cause and complete the swing of the tray withoutpower further applied to lever l To close the breech again, thelever lis swung in the opposite direction or to the left, its first movement inthat direction causing, by the engagement of pin 1 with the side of slot1 the tray to swing forward to its normal position to bring thebreech-plug in line with the breech-chamber. The movement of pin 1 withlever 1 causes the elbow-lever I to slide the plug forward on the trayinto its breech-closing position after the tray has been swung into itsnormal forward position, so as to bring the curved slot 1 intoconcentricity withthe swing of the elbow-lever 1 upon its pivot-pin 1The pin 1, then being in contact with the inner end of the tray-slot Iacts as a fulcrum for the further swinging of the lever 1 with referenceto the tray, which will cause its toothed segment I to slide therack-bar I to the right again to cause the breech-plug to be rotated tobring-its interrupted screwthreads into engagementwith the correspondingthreads within the breech to insure secure locking of the plug in thewell-known way. To prevent the rack-bar I from being moved to the rightbefore the breech-plug has been inserted in the breech and to secureproper meshing of the teeth on top of the rack-bar with those on thebreech-plug when the latter is in position for turning it to lock it inclosed position, the breech-plug is provided with a longitudinal grooveL, such as is shown and described in the'patent hereinbefore referredto, to engage the last tooth at the right end ofthe series of teeth onthe rack-bar top as long as the plug is to the rear 7 of the positionwhere it is to be turnedon its axis to lock or unlock it in the breech.The lever I will then when it is swung inward and forward to close thebreech first fulcrum on the outer tooth of the series of teeth on theside of the rack-bar 1 The firing-pin M, moving in a central passage min the breech-plug I, has on its rear end an arm M moving in a recess min the supplemental plug 1 andis pressed toward its firing position bythe firing-spring M seated in a recess m in the pin and hearing at itsrearend against the rear end of recess m in plug 1. The outer end of armM has a cocking-notch m and to the rear of such notch has its edgebeveled or rounded ofi, (see Fig. 4,) so as to be adapted to rideoutward under and cam back the nose m of the spring-pressed sliding scarM on the gear-tooth bearing-ring secured to the breech-plug I When thefiringpin arm M is forced back to retract and cook the firing pin. Tothus retract the arm M and pin M when the breech-plug is rotated tounlock it ready for retraction to open the breech, the cocking-ring I,which is held from rotating with the breech-plug by the engagement ofthe stud l on lever I with the opening 2 in the ring, is provided withan inclined cam-face 1?, adapted to engage and cam the arm M rearwardwith reference to the breech-plug, as the latter is rotated withreference to the cocking-ring in a direction to disengage thescrew-threads on the plug from those in the breech. The cam t is ofsuificient height to retract the arm M far enough to bring thecocking-notch m to the nose of the sear M which is then forced into thenotch by the movement of thesear under stress of the spring m situatedin a recess m on the inner side of the sear and engaging the forward endof such recess and an abutment -m on the tray-ring I. This sear slidingradially with reference to the ring secured on the breech-plug can besupported in any desired way, but is preferably guided and supported onsuch ring by a groove with undercut sides engaging guide-ribs on thesear M With the construction of firing-pin with its retracting devicesand the searas just above described the firing-pin will be retractedinto its cocked position, where it will be held by the sear, each timethat the breech-plug is rotated to unlock it ready for withd rawal fromthe breech, and the cam-face on the cockingring will, by standing in theway-of the forward side of the arm M of the firing-pin, effectuallyprevent any such forward movement of the pin as would project itsforward end from the breech-plug to fire the gun before the breech-plughas been returned to the breech and turned far enough to bring itsinterrupted screw-threads into such engage ment with the correspondingthreads on the breech as to effectually lock the plug against rearwardlongitudinal movement if the gun should be fired. The cockingring asarranged affords, then, not only a means for cocking the pin, but asafety device against premature firing before locking of the plug. Theouter end of the sear M has a triggerengaging toe m on its forward sideadapted to project over the nose m ofthe trigger M when the breech-plughas been inserted and locked in position to close the breech. Thistrigger is pivoted ina radial recess m in the breech of the gun and hasbesides the arm carrying the nose m another outwardly-extending armengaged by a spring-pressed plunger m, seated and guided in a recess Wtin the breech and actuated by a spring m, seated partially in a cavity min the plunger and with its forward end engaging the front end of recessm The action of the springpressed plunger on trigger M serves to keep itnormally held in the position shown in Fig. 4that is, with its nose msituated on the inner side of the path of the toe m on the sear M -asthe latter is moved toward the position in which it is shown in Figs. 3and -t by the locking rotation of the breech plug, hereinbeforedescribed. The nose of the trigger will then not tend to trip the searwhile the trigger remains unswung and in its normal position, but willdo so if the trigger is swung to carry the nose an outward.

In order to provide for automatic firing of the gun by tripping of thesear M as, the breech-plug I has after being inserted'in place in thebreech been rotated to lockit, We have made the sear-toe m and thetrigger-nose m beveled, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 13, the toe m havingits inner side beveled outward and forward with reference to the travelof the sear with the breech-plu g during the looking rotation of thelatter and the nose m of the trigger having its outer sidecorrespondingly beveled, so that if the trigger be pulled to swing itsnose-carrying arm outward into the position shown in dotted lines inFig. 4 the inclined or beveled face on it will be in position to engagethe inclined face on the sear M and cam the latter outward to disengagethe sear-nose m from the notch m on the firing-pin arm M to release suchpin just as the locking rotation of the breech-plug is completed. Theturning of the plug by the mechanism hereinbefore described to lock itin breech-closing position serves, then, in our gun to automaticallycause firing of the gun when the trigger is held pulled into thepositionshown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

. To afford improved means for pulling the trigger as desired, weconnect the end of a cord or lanyard N with the outer end of the triggerand lead such lanyard forward through a ring or loop N on the ring D,which is fixed on the gu n-body A,and then rearward through an openingin the plate N attached to and ICC extending rearward from the annularframe or sleeve B, in which the gun -body slides.

From the opening in the plate N the lanyard passes forward again intoposition to be grasped and pulled by the man standing on the left sideof the gun, who can then keep the gun pointed and control the firing.

\Viththe arrangement of lanyard and guiding devices just abovedescribed'it will be seen that we avoid any possibility of the lanyardbeing jerked from the hands of the operator by recoil of the gun, for asthe gun body and ring D travel rearward during recoil of the gun and theplate N remains stationary slack will be produced in the portion of thelanyard between the guide ring or loop N and the guiding-opening in theplate N and there will consequently be no pulling inward or rearward ofthe part of the lanyard reaching from the plate N to the hand of theflrer holding the lanyard end.

It will be understood that when the gun is not to be firedautomatically, but at will, the lanyard is left slack during the closingand locking movement of the breech mechanism, so that the trigger isheld in its normal position, with its nose m out of the path of anddisengaged from the sear-toe 071 but in posilion to engage such toewhenever the trigger is subsequently pulled by the lanyard.

In order to operate the shown and described mechanism by power derivedfrom fluid under pressure taken from the recoil-cylinder of the gun, inwhich cylinder the fluid is put under pressure by the movement of thepiston-head which moves with the gun-body or gun proper in its recoiland return to battery, we have connected with or made in one piece withhead h screwed on the piston-rod H of the piston H in theoperating-cylinder G, as

hereinbefore described, a rack-bar H guided and moving on thebracket-piece H bolted to the gun-body A and having a central openingfor the reception of the lower end of the hinge-pin 1 of the tray I.Upon this pin we journal a segment-gear H and a lever H, preferably madein one piece with the segmental gear, but which, if desired, maybe madeseparate from the gear and attached thereto in any desired way, so thatit will rotate with it on pin 1 This lever H has a stud H engaging agroove H in a projecting portion H on the under side of lever 1 Theengagement of stud H and the groove H is such that as the lever H swingsfrom left to right, as it will do when the rack-bar H is drawn forwardby a forward travel of the piston H and piston-rod H and by engagementof its teeth with segment-gear H causes said gear to rotate upon pin 1the lever 1 will be swung in the same directionthat is, to rightso as tocause the breech mechan ism to be actuated, as hereinbefore described,to unlock and retract the breech-plug, cook the firing-pin, and swingthe tray, with the plug thereon, around to the right, so as to leave thepassage to the breech of the gun clear for the insertion of anothercharge. The return swing of lever H as the piston H, piston-rod H, andrack-bar H are reciprocated in the other direction, as they will be bythe action of the spring H compressed by the prior forward movement ofthe piston and rod, will then, because of the engagement of the stud Hwith groove H cause the lever i to be returned to its normal positionagain, causing, as it swings in the manner and by the means hereinbeforedescribed, the tray to be swung around to bring the breech-plug in linewith the breech-chamberand the plug to be slid into such chamber andthen rotated to cause it to be locked shut by the engagement of itsinterrupted screw-threads with the threads within the breech-plugchamber of the gun.

With the mechanism of our gun constructed and arranged as shown in thedrawings and described hereinbefore the operation is, briefly, asfollows: Starting with the breech mechanism closed and the piston H atthe limit of its rearward travel in the operatingcylinder G and thepiston E in the forward end of the recoil-cylinder E, when the gun theopening of the breech mechanism by lever 1 causes, through the swingingof the connected lever H and segment-gear'll the rack-bar H piston-rodH, and piston H to be reciprocated to compress spring LP, the

latter will exert its pressure to return the piston, piston-rod, andrack-bar to their normal positions, so as to cause a partial backrotation of the segment-gear and a swing of lever 11 to cause its stud Hengaging groove H on lever 1 to swing the latter forward again to causeclosing and locking of the breech mechanism in the manner explainedhereinbefore. As the piston H is forced rearward in cylinder G, thevalve g being held open, it will draw fluid from the recoil-cylinderinto the operating-cylinder through the described ports, passages, andpipe connecting the two cylinders E and G. If the operating-cylindershould be high enough with relation to the recoil-cylinder so thattheliquid in the recoil-cylinder will not flow by gravity into theoperating-cylinder, the liquid can be made to follow theoperating-piston by permitting the presence of a sufficient quantity ofair in the recoil-cylinder to force the liquid to fill theoperating-cylinder. If when the breech mechanism has been thrown open asdescribed the valve-operating lever bereleased, the valve-spring willthrow the valve shut, so as to close the port opening into theoperating-cylinder, and the operating-piston will be held from movingrearmunication between the port 9 and passageg, so that the fluid incylinder G'can flow out of the same back toward the recoil-cyl- 'inderE, leaving the piston H free to'move thelanyard N is pulled to pull thetrigger and trip the firing-pin-holding sear, the firingpin actuated byspring M will fire the charge in the gun. Recoilof the bodyAorgun properwill then, because of the connections between its ring D and thepiston-rod E of the recoilcylinder E, draw the piston-head Erearward insuch cylinder against the stress of the re coil-spring E the movement ofthe pistonhead, and consequently of the gun in recoil, being slowed downby the retarding fluid in the cylinder, which must pass from the rear tothe front of the piston through the ports or by-passes in the cylinderas the' piston movesrearward in the cylinder, the rate of such passageof fluid, and consequently the rate of travel of the piston and the gunin recoil, being dependent upon the aggregate area of the ports orby-passes e in cross section. I The gun-body and the piston E havingcompleted their'rearward travel under the force of the recoil of firingand the spring E being com pressed by such travel of the piston, thestress of such spring acting upon the piston moves it forward again, soas to cause the piston-rod through-its connections with ring D to returnthe gun to battery. This return of the piston under stress of spring. Ecausesthe fluid which has accumulated in the cylinder E and is in boreof the piston-rod E the ports, passages, and pipe, forming acommunication between such piston-rod, bore, and the port g, enteringthe operating-cylinder G, to be put under great pressure, so that it'will be forced from the recoil-cylinder out through the hol-= lowpiston-rod, and through the various communicating ports, passages, andpipe a, past valve g whichit raises, and into the rear end of theoperating-cylinder G. There pressing upon piston H it'forces the latterforward, so

that through the rod H, head If, and rack-- as the piston E in therecoil-cylinder has completed its forward travel within the latterandthe pressure of thefluidin front of the piston begins to decrease thevalve g is at once closedby its spring g, so that none of the fluid canflew back again out of the operating-cylinder. The piston'H is then heldfrom return,

or rearward movement by the fluid confined behind it in the cylinder-Guntil the valve 9 is opened by movement of its operating-lever g". Thedescribed forward movement of the piston H, caused by the pressure offluid from the recoil-cylinder, compresses the spring H between head hand the end of the stuffingbox plug or cap 7L4, so that power will bestored up in it, enough to return the piston-rod and cylinder and causelever H to-swing lever I to the left again to close and lock the breechmechanism when the valve-lever is moved to open valve y so as to leavethe fluid in the operating-cylinder free to flow back toward therecoil-cylinder again. As long asthe valve remains closed the lever Bcannot move to swing the lever 1 forward or to the left and the breechmechanism is held open. When a new charge has been inserted in thegunchamber and the breech is to be closed, the one who is to control themovements of the breech mechanism and stands at the right of the gunpresses down on the outer arm of lever g so as to cause the valve g tobe opened. The piston H and rod H are then thrown quickly rearward bythe compressed spring H the flow of the liquid from the operatingchamberas the piston moves rearward being assisted by the partial vacuumexisting in the recoil cylinder, because of some of its liquid havingbeen forced out from such cylinder during the forward movement ofpistonv E and kept fromreturning by the closing of valve 9 The rearwardmovement of rod H under stress of spring H causing the rackbar H to turnthe segment-gear H and the lever H to be swung to'the left, causes leverI to be swung to cause closing and locking of the breech mechanism. Ifthe lanyard be pulled, so as to hold the trigger swung with itscam-faced nose in the path of the camfaced toe on the sear M", as thebreech-plug is turned to cause 'it to be locked, the trigger -nose willcause the sear to be tripped, to release the firing-pin and fire thegun, just as the locking movement of the breechplug is completed. Thegun-body 0r gun proper, A, will then by the firing be caused to recoilagain to draw the piston E in the turn of the gun to battery causes thebreech mechanism to be unlocked and opened again and the firing-pin tobe retracted or cocked in the manner already described, the valve actingagain, as before, to check the backflow of the fluid from theoperating-cylinder when the piston II has been forced forward to causeopening of the breech mechanism. The return movement of piston H andpiston-rod H under stress of spring H to cause closing and locking ofthe breech mechanism is then prevented until the man whose duty it is tocontrol the operation of the breech mechanism moves lever g to openvalve 9 which he does after he sees that the man or men who have toinsert the new load in the gun have withdrawn their arms and hands outof the way of the breech mechanism. By moving the lever g to open valveg more or less to regulate the flow of fluid past it he can regulate orcontrol the speed of the operation of the breechclosing devices asdesired. The one whose duty it is to fire the gun can then, as before,either pull the lanyard to cause the trigger to trip the sear and firethe gun automatically as the breech-plug is turned into its lockingposition after insertion to close the breech or can leave the lanyardloose, in which case the firing will not be automatic, as abovedescribed, but can be caused at any desired time by a pull on thelanyard to swing the trigger to trip the sear out of engagement with thecocking-notch on the head or arm M of the firing-pin M.

WVhile we have shown and described the operating-cylinder as soconnected with the recoil-cylinder that fluid under pressure from thelatter is taken through the hollow piston 11 from in front of piston E,and the pressure on the fluid is that of the stress of the compressedrecoil-springE acting during the counter-recoil or return of the gun tobattery, we contemplate, where desired, taking the fluid from the partof the recoil-cylinder to the rear of piston-head E instead, so that thepressure on the fluid which is to move the piston H forward is that ofthe recoil of the gun, the breech being consequently unlocked and thrownopen by the force of the recoil and during the recoiling movement of thegun.

We desire it to be understood also that while We have shown anddescribed mechanism in which the fluid under pressure for operating thebreech mechanism is taken from one recoil-cylinder we can Withoutinvolving any departure from our invention take the fluid from severalor all of the recoil-cylinders used with any gun. This can be easilyarranged for by connecting the several cylinders by connections similarto those hereinbefore described with one or more ports g, opening intothe operating-cylinder.

As indicated in the foregoing description, we do not limit ourselves tothe use of any one kind of fluid in the recoil-cylinder or the passagesand pipes connecting such cylinder with the operating-cylinder.

Our mechanism as shown and described would be operative to advantageeven where the recoilchecking fluid in the recoil-cylinder is airinstead of water, or oil and water, or other liquid.

An alternative construction is illustrated in Fig. 1G, in which thebreech is opened during the recoil of the gun instead of during thereturn of the gun to battery. struction is precisely the same as thatpreviously described except that the passage c instead of openingthrough the piston communicates by a lateral passage 6 with therecoil-cylinder to the rear of the piston, the latter being left solid.In the operation of such construction the recoil of the gun carries thepistons E to the rear, thus causing the fluid that is in therecoilcylinder and to the rear of the piston to be put under pressureand driving it out through the passages 2 and e to theoperating-cylinder, where it causes the unlocking and opening of thebreech mechanism during the recoil of the gun. The gun is thus incondition to be loaded while the counter-recoil is taking place.

As indicated hereinbefore,our operating devices as hereinbeforedescribed are adapted for use in connection with many different forms ofbreech mechanism for breech-loading guns, all that is necessary insecuring the proper application of our invention to the desired form ofbreech mechanism being that the piston of the operating-cylinder shallbe connected with some moving or operating part of such breechmechanism.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is- 1. In abreech-loading gun having a fluidcontaining recoil-cylinder and apiston, in combination with breech mechanism, a cylinder and pistondevice mounted on thegunbody for operating such mechanism, and meanswhereby pressure from the recoil-cylinder is transmitted directly to theoperatingcylinder, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a breech-loading gun having a fluidcontaining recoil-cylinder anda piston, in combination with a breech mechanism, a movable device foroperating the latter including a piston, a cylinder for the pistonmounted on the gun-body, and means whereby pressure from therecoil-cylinder is delivered directly to said other cylinder,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In abreech-loading gun having a fluidcontaining recoil-cylinder and apiston, in combination with a breech-closing device,and means for movingit to cause it to be locked and unlocked, means mounted on the gunbodyand actuated by pressure of fluid from the recoil-cylinder transmit-tedduring counterrecoil, to cause the breech-closing device to be unlocked,substantially as and for the purpose shown.

l. In a breech-loading gun having a fluidcontaining recoil-cylinder anda piston, in

This concombination with a breech-closing device and means mounted onthe gun-body for causing the breech device to be locked, and connectionsbetweenthe recoil-cylinder and thelocking means, whereby powerderivedfrom the pressure of fluid taken from the recoil-cylinder duringcounter-recoil, causes locking of the breech, substantially as and forthe purpose described.

5. In a breech-loading gun, in combination with the breech mechanismthereof, a recoilcylinder containing fluid, the piston in such cylinderconnected with the gun-body, the recoil-spring, a movable device mountedon the gun body actuated by fluid from the cylinder, under pressureduring the return of the piston after recoil, and operative connectionsbetween such device and a movable part of the breech mechanism wherebythe latter is unlocked during counter-recoil,substan tially as'and forthe purpose described.

6. In a breech-loading gun having a fluidcontaining recoil-cylinder anda piston moving therein and connected with the gun-body, in combinationwith movable breech mechanism, a second cylinder mounted o'nthe gunbodyand in communication with the recoilcylinder, a piston in the secondcylinder, and connections between the latter piston and the breechmechanism, whereby the movements of said second piston unlock and openthe breech mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. In a breech-loading gun having a fluidcontaining recoil-cylinder andapiston moving therein and connected with the gun-body, in combinationwith the movable breech mechanism of the gun, a second cylinder mountedon the gun-body and in communicationwith the recoil-cylinder, a pistonin the second cylinder, moved in one direction by pressure of fluidunder pressure from the recoil-cylinder, connections between the latterpiston andthe breech mechanism, and a spring acting to move the secondpiston in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by the fluidunder pressure from the recoil-cylinder, the movement of the secondpiston under pressure from the fluid causing the unlocking and openingof the breech mechanism and its movement by the spring closing andlocking said mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In a breech-loading gun having a fluidcontaining recoil-cylinder anda piston, in combination with the breech-plug, mechanism for unlockingand withdrawing the plug, that remains inoperative during recoil, asecond cylinder and piston mountedbn the gunbody, connections betweenthe same and the said plug-operating mechanism, and means whereby fluidunder pressure is transmitted from the recoil-cylinder to the othercylinder during counter-recoil, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

9. In a breech-loading gun having a fluidcontaining recoil-cylinder anda piston, in

combination with the breech-plug, mechanismforunlocking and withdrawingthe plug that'has'no movement relative to the gunbody during the recoilof the latter, a second cylinder and piston mounted on the gunbody,connections between the same and said plug-operating mechanism, a springacting to move the recoil-piston forward, and connections between thetwo cylinders, whereby, during the action of said spring, fluid istransmitted from the recoil-cylinder to the other cylinder,substantially as and for the pur pose shown.

10. In a breech-loading gun havingafluidcontaining recoil-cylinder and apiston, in combination with the breech-plug, mechanism for unlocking.and withdrawing the plug that has no movement relative to the gunbodyduring the recoil of the latter, a second cylinder and piston mounted onthe gun-body, connections between the same and said 'plugoperatingmechanism, means whereby fluid under pressure is transmitted from therecoil cylinder to the other cylinder during counter-recoil, and a valveforcontrolling the exit of fluid from said second cylinder, substan=tially as and for the purpose set forth.

ll In a breech-loading gun, the combina tion of a recoil-cylinder andpiston, one of which is connected to the gun-mount and the other ofwhich is attached to the gu'n,an'op erating-cylinder and its piston-forthe breech mechanism one of which is attached to the gun and the otherof which is attached to the breech mechanism, and means for conveyingfiuid which connects the recoil-cylinder with the operating cy1inder,substantially as and for the purpose described;

12. In a breech-loading gun, the combination of a recoil-cylinder thatis carried by the gun-mount, a piston for said recoil-cylinder whichpiston is attached to the gun, an operating-cylinder also attached tothe gun and connected with said recoil-cylinder, and a piston in saidoperating-cylinder and connected to. the breech mechanism, substantiallyas and for the purpose described.

13. In a gun, in combination with a'fluidcontaining recoil-cylinder, thepiston moving therein, and connected with the gun-body so as to be movedby the recoil thereof, the recoil-spring, the hollow piston-rod havingits bore connected with the interior of the cylinder by a suitablefluid-conducting passageor port, a second cylinder connected with thebore of the piston-rod by suitable fluid-conducting passages,a pistonmoving in the second cylinder, and adapted to be moved in one directionby the pressure of fluid in its cylinder, and spring mechanism acting toreturn the piston after such movement, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

14:. Ina gun, in combination with a fluid containing recoil-cylinder,the piston moving therein and connected with the gun-body, so as to bemoved by the recoil thereof, the recoil-spring, the hollow piston-rodhaving its bore connected with the interior of the cylinder by asuitable fluid-conducting passage or port, a second cylinder connectedwith the bore of the piston-rod by suitable fluid-conducting passages, apiston moving in the second cylinder, and adapted to be moved in onedirection by the pressure of fluid in its cylinder, spring mechanismacting to return the piston after such movement, a movable valve tocheck the flow of fluid from the second cylinder, and means for movingsuch valve,substantially as and for the purpose described.

15. In a gun, in combination with a fluidcontaining recoil-cylinder anda hollow pis ton moving therein and connected with the gun-body so as tobe moved by the recoil thereof, a recoil-spring compressed by themovement of the piston, during recoil of the gun, a hollow piston-rodhaving its bore connected with that in the piston, a second cylinderconnected with the recoil-cylinder by suitable fluid-conductingconnections, a piston moving in the second cylinder adapted to be movedin one direction by the pressure of fluid in its cylinder, and springmechanism to return such piston after it has been moved by the fluid,substantially as and for the purpose described.

16. In a gun, in combination with the gunbody, a hollow piston andpiston-rod, connections between such rod and the gun-body, arecoil-cylinder in which the piston moves, containing fluid and providedwith suitable ports or by-passes to allow passage of the fluid by thepiston, a recoil-spring compressed by the movement of the piston, duringrecoil of the gun, and acting to return the piston after the recoil iscompleted, a second cylinder connected with the bore of the piston-rodby fluid-conducting connections, and a movable head moved by thepressure of fluid in the second cylinder, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

17. In a breech mechanism for guns, the combination of a breech-blockthat is adapted to be closed by a rotary motion, a sear radially mountedon said breech-block, and a cam in the path of the sear and adapted tomove the sear as the breech is closed, substantially as described.

18. In a breech mechanism forguns, in combination with thebreech-closing plug adapted to be locked in its breech-closing positionby rotation, a spring-pressed firing-pin having a notched part, aspring-pressed firingpin-holding sear, rotating with the plug, andhaving a trigger-engaging shoulder, a trigger around to which thesear-shoulder is brought by the locking rotation of the plug, and whichhas a nose to engage the sear-shoulder, either or both the sear-shoulderand the trigger-nose being beveled, so that, if the trigger is heldpulled before the breech-plug is moved into locking position to carryits nose into the path of the sear-shoulder, the engagement of thetrigger-nose and shoulder will cause the sear to be tripped to releasethe firing-pin, as the rotation of the plug, to cause its locking, isbeing completed, and a spring device to hold the trigger swung normallyin position to keep its nose out of the path of the searshoulder,substantially as for the purpose described.

19. In combination with the means for releasing the firing device of arecoil-mounted gun, the firing-lanyard connected with such device, asuitable guide for the lanyard situated on a part moving with thegun-body, to which guide the lanyard runs forward from thefiring-device-releasing means, and a second guide over which the lanyardruns situated on a part stationary with reference to the recoiling partof the gun, such second guide being situated to the rear of the firstguide, so that the lanyard runs rearward to it from the latter guide,substantially as and for the purpose described.

20. In a breech-loading gun, in combination with the breech plug adaptedto be locked in breech-closing position by axial rotation, aspring-pressed firing-pin having a radial arm with a cocking-notch, aspring-pressed sear moving with the breech-plug, as the latter isrotated, and having a nose to engage the notch on the firing-pin arm anda trigger-engaging shoulder, a cocking-ring journaled upon a bearingmoving with the plug and having a cam-face to retract the arm of thefiring-pin, means for holding such ring from rotating with the plug, atrigger for tripping the sear after the plug has been rotated far enoughto lock it from opening by the pressure brought upon it when the gun isfired, and a spring acting to hold the trigger normally swung to keepits sear-engaging nose out of the path of the sear-shoulder,substantially as and for the purpose described.

21. The combination of a gun mounted .to recoil, a firing-lanyard, and aguide for said lanyard fixed with reference to the movement of the gununder recoil, and situated so that the lanyard runs forward from saidguide to the gun when the latter is its firing position, whereby whenthe gun moves rearward under recoil, there is no pull on the lanyard inthe hands of the gunner, substantially as and for the purpose described.I

In testimony that we claim the foregoing we have hereunto set our handsthis 28th day of October, 1898.

JOHN F. MEIGS. SIGARD A. S'IEN HAMMAR.

lVitnesses:

EDWARD J. MALLoY, WALTER J. WAGNER.

IIO

